Doubletree.



No. 756,923. PATENTED APR. 12, 1904.

F. L. WOLVERTON.

DOUBLETRE E. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2a, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

Q'vitneooeo V 743% W MMWF} UNITED STATES Patented April 12, I904,

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK L. WOLVERTON, OF LUXORA, ARKANSAS DOUB LETREE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,923, dated April12, 1904.

Application filed January 28, 1903. Serial No. 140,888. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK L. WOLVERTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Luxora, in the county of Mississippi and State of Arkansas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Doubletrees, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the construction of doubletreesor similar draft appliances used on wagons, plows, or machines drawn bytwo or more horses.

The especial objects sought by my improvements are simple and economicalconstruction and the most effective cooperation of the elementsutilized, whereby the best results will be attained.

The chief function of a doubletree constructed' according to theprinciples embodied in my invention is to prevent the stronger or betterpuller in a team from pulling his mate back against the load, and aminor office is to prevent sudden jerks on the vehicle or other load,which result from inequalities or obstructions in the roadway or fromone horse starting ahead of the other.

In carrying out my invention I employ a doubletree made in two sections,the inner ends of which are positively connected with each Olil18f SOthat any movement of one section is necessarily transmitted to theother, and I so construct and arrange the connecting elements that amovement in the forward direction of one section of the doubletree willproduce a like movement in the other section. I. also utilize tension orcushioning devices, which per so are not new, either in lieu of or inconnection with the ordinary stay-chains.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, Ihave shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, reserving the rightto adopt the mechanical equivaleilits of the parts shown to produce likeresu ts. I

In my drawings, Figure 1 is aplan view of the front portion of awagon-gear of common construction, to which a tongue is coupled and withwhich my improved doubletree is connected. Fig. 2 is a view similar toFig. 1, but showing the parts in operative relation when draft isapplied to one section of the doubletree. Fig. 3 is an edge view, on anenlarged scale, of the central or coupled portions of the doubletree;and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the details of the drawings, A represents the fore aXle ofa wagon, B the tongue, and C the fore hounds that connect the tonguewith the axle, all of which are of Well-known construction. Bolted tothe upper side of the rear part of the tongue is an iron plate f, whichis formed with lateral extensions f to form a bearing for thedoubletree.

The doubletree is formed in two complementary sections D I), each ofwhich is pivotally connected with the plate by pins or bolts 0, whichpass through suitable openings 0' in the doubletree-sections and in theplate and are provided with nuts on the under side of said plate. Theinner and adjacent ends of the sections are rounded and are equippedwith metal straps (Z cl, one end of each of which is bolted to onesection, as D, and the other end to the other section, as D, thearrangement being at the edges of said sections, thus causing saidstraps to intersect each other and effecting a coupling between theadjacent ends of the sections. It will be understood that the straps arebent to conform to the edge of the section which they embrace and are ofmore or less flexible material, so thatthey will yield as the sectionsassume diflerentrelative positions under tension. It will be noted thattension exerted on the free end of either of the doubletree-sectionswill be communicated to the other section through the medium of thestraps and that the rearward movement of inner end of one section willproducealike movement in the corresponding end of the other section, oneof. said straps serving to pull against the portion projecting inwardlyfrom the pivot pin or bolt and the other strap serving to push againstthe corresponding portion of the other section. V

In lieu of stay-chains I prefer to use the tension devices E, which areof well-known construction and serve to connect the axle with therespective doubletree-sections, as clearly illustrated in the drawings.

The swingletrees F are connected with the free ends of thedoubletree-sections in the usual manner, and, if desired, one section ofthe doubletree may be made long enough to join thereto two swingletrces,thus providing for three horses.

It will be understood that the tension devices E prevent thedoubletree-sections from being pulled too far forward at either end,thus limiting their movement and avoiding the possibility of doubling upthe straps, and consequent breakage of same.

Instead of a metal strap for connecting the ends of thedoubletree-sections I may use a chain, thus increasing the flexibilityof the connection or coupling, but otherwise operating in the samemanner as the strap.

The construction above described is such that any ordinary mechaniccould apply the parts or mend same, and the embracing-straps on oppositeedges of the sections serve to strengthen the latter at their weakestpart, which, as is well known, is where the connecting or pivot boltpasses therethrough.

Having thus described my invention, what ,I claim as new, and desire toobtain by Letters Patent, is

1. Adoubletree formed in two sections pivotally mounted independently ofeach other, and having their contiguous ends connected with each other,the forward edge of one section being connected With the rear edge ofthe other section, whereby said sections will move in unison and in acommon direction under tension applied to either.

2. A doubletree formed in two sections pivotally mounted independentlyof each other, and straps connecting the contiguous inner ends of saidsections, said straps connecting the forward edge of one section withthe rear edge of the complementary section, and adapted to bear on theprojecting inner ends of the sections, for the purpose described.

3. A doubletree formed in two sections pivotally mounted independentlyof each other and having their contiguous ends rounded, and flexiblestraps connecting the front edge of-one section with the rear edge ofthe other section and fitting over the rounded ends of the othersection.

4:. A doubletree formed in pivotally-mounted sections, means forpositively couplingthe contiguous ends of the sections, said means beingsecured to opposite edges of the respective sections, whereby theforward movement of one section will cause a like movement of thecomplementary section, and tension devices connected with said sectionsand adapted to resist their forward movement.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK L. WOLVERTON.

Witnesses:

F. BENJAMIN, L. Gr. SNOW.

